Perennials
Many gardeners, particularly those making their first forays into the plant world, tend to view perennials almost exclusively in the context of their flowers. Often overlooked is the fact that even the best flowering plants only bloom for a short period of time each year. One way to compensate for the fleeting nature of the perennial flower is to look just as closely at the foliage of a plant when making a purchase. Foliage enhances a garden by adding drama and interest via form, texture and color. Most importantly, it provides consistency, carrying the garden along when nothing else is happening. Many of the plants offered here have been selected with the belief that an interesting garden is more than the sum of its blooms.
ACANTHUS Bear’s Breeches - Sun to Pt Shade - Zone 5
Acanthus hungaricus Tall spikes of pinkish flowers with purple bracts over deeply cut, thistle-like leaves. Quite striking. Grows to 3’.
ACTAEA - Sun to Part Shade - Evenly Moist - Zone 3
Actaea 'Brunette' Rich coppery-purple foliage on sturdy stems bear white bottlebrush flowers in September. Grows to 4’.
Actaea ‘Black Negligee’ Rich coppery-purple foliage on sturdy stems bear pinkish white bottlebrush flowers in September. Similar to 'Brunette' but more fragrant. Grows to 4’.
Actaea racemosa Good plant for creating a strong architectural presence. Slender, upright grower with dark green foliage. Bears spires of white flowers in late summer. Grows to 4’.
ACONITUM Monk's Hood - Part Shade - Zone 3
Aconitum carmichaelii Very handsome plant with heavy, dark green foliage and violet blue flowers in early fall. Grows to 3'. Best in part shade though it will take sun if the soil is rich enough.
AJUGA Bugleweed - Part Shade - Zone 4
Ajuga reptans 'Black Scallop' This recently introduced ajuga has captivating burgundy-black foliage. Contrasts nicely with other foliage colors and textures. Spikes of deep blue flowers appear in spring. Will take sun or part shade.
Ajuga reptans 'Chocolate Chip' Pretty ground cover with bronze colored club-like foliage. Makes a handsome little accent.
Ajuga reptans 'Mini Crispa Red' Really neat twist on an old standard. Plants form mats of crinkly purple-red foliage. Spreads a bit more slowly than most Ajugas. Very interesting texture.
ALCEA Hollyhock - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 4
Alcea 'Queeny Purple' Unique among Hollyhocks for its short stature. Royal purple double flowers are borne on stalks just 3' tall.
ALLIUM - Sun - Zone 3
Allium christophii Ornamental chives. Enormous, finely textured globes appear in mid-summer. Short tongue-like basal leaves. Excellent for drying.
Allium 'Globemaster' Ornamental chives. Large spheres of lavender purple flowers over tongue-like basal foliage in mid-summer. Flowers and stalks are excellent for drying. Grows to 2'.
Allium senescens 'Glaucum' Ornamental chives. Interesting plant forms whorls of short, blue-green strap-like foliage. Lavender-pink globes appear in late summer. Good for edging or rockeries. Drought tolerant.
ARISAEMA - Part Shade to Shade - Zone 5
Arisaema 'Gaudy Jack' Gaudy Jack Striking Japanese species of Jack-in-the Pulpit. Large green leaves mottled with white appear in spring followed by showy hooded flowers with dark purple stripes. Prefers an evenly moist, organically enriched soil. Grows to 18" tall.
ARUNCUS - Part Shade - Zone 4
Aruncus aesthifolius Small astilbe-like plant with dense fernlike leaves. Plant bears spikes of white flowers in early summer. Nice for textural interest.
ASARUM Ginger - Part Shade to Shade - Zone 5
Asarum canadense Canadian Wild Ginger Lovely ground cover with shiny, deciduous, heart-shaped leaves. Prefers an organically enriched soil. Hardy to zone 2.
Asarum europeaum European Ginger. Slow growing ground cover with thick, glossy, heart-shaped leaves. Adorable, but takes some time to fill in.
ASTILBOIDES - Part Shade - Evenly Moist - Zone 4
Astilboides tabularis Large, bold dark green leaves with heavy white flower spikes in early summer. Grows to 3 1/2’.
ASTILBE - Part Shade - Zone 4
Astilbe 'Sprite' Small plant with deeply cut, feathery leaves and small pink flower spikes in summer. Grows to just 8" tall.
ASTRANTIA Masterwort - Sun to Shade - Zone 4
Astrantia major ‘Hadspen Blood’ Tidy, mound-forming plant with deeply cut foliage bears deep red flowers. Long blooming. Needs moisture. Flower stems grow to 24”. Excellent for cutting and drying.
BAPTISIA False Indigo - Sun - Zone 4
Bergenia ‘Twilight Prairieblues’ Recent introduction. Vigorous plant produces wonderful violet-purple flowers above green pea-like foliage. Blooms late spring/early summer. Grows to about 34".
BERGENIA Saxifrage - Moist - Sun to Shade - Zone 5
Bergenia ‘Bressingham Ruby’ Big glossy evergreen foliage with spikes of salmon-pink flowers in spring. Good for partial shade, but will take full sun in good soil. Foliage turns reddish-purple in the fall.
BRUNNERA - Part Shade - Zone 3
Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' Large silver leaves overlaid with handsome green veining. Blue flowers in spring. Exceptional.
CLEMATIS - Sun - Cool Roots - Zone 3
Clematis 'Crystal Fountain' Stunning plant with large, semi-double lavender-blue flowers. Heavy, dependable bloomer. Blooms in late spring and again in late summer.
CORYDALIS - Part Shade - Zone 5
Corydalis 'Lutea' Lovely long blooming perennial with mounds of lacy blue-green foliage topped with bright yellow flowers. Plants form a delicate mound about 16" tall. Flowers begin in late spring. Needs a well drained soil.
DIGITALIS - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 5
Digitalis ferruginia 'Yellow Herold' Tall spires of yellow flowers in summer. Grows to about 4'.
Digitalis 'Camelot Lavender' Sturdy spikes of lavender flowers in early summer. Grows to about 4'.
ECHINACEA Coneflower - Sun - Zone 3
Echinacea 'Big Sky Sunrise’ New plant with creamy petals and orange buttons. Dense growing and long blooming. Fragrant. Grows to about 24".
Echinacea 'Green Envy' Recent introduction with strong upright habit and striking greenish flower bracts. Unique among other very recent and very bright Echinacea introductions. Grows to about 24".
Epimedium Barrenwort - Part Shade to Shade - Zone 5
Epimedium sulphureum Excellent plant for growing in dry shade. Heart shaped foliage followed by light yellow flowers in late spring. Plants spread with time to form a ground cover. Semi-evergreen.
Epimedium grandiflorum 'Rose Queen' Excellent plant for growing in dry shade. Vigorous mounded plant with dark pink flowers in late spring. Grows to 12".
Epimedium 'Enchantress' Excellent plant for growing in dry shade. Pointy heart shaped foliage with light pink flowers in late spring. Grows to about 8".
EUPATORIUM - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 3
Eupatorium dubium 'Baby Joe' Compact version of our native Eupatorium that grows to just 2'. Rosy pink flowers appear on the plant in late summer, luring butterflies to the garden.
Eupatorium 'Little Joe' Cultivar of our native Joe Pye Weed. This plant forms a clump of strong purplish stems with dark green leaves. broad pink flower heads appear in late summer attracting butterflies. Grows to 4'.
EUPHORBIA Spurge - Sun - Zone 5
Euphorbia 'Efanthia' Cute plant forms an upright clump of reddish stems with whorls of linear purple leaves. Yellow disk-shaped flower bracts appear in late spring. Grows to about 14". Needs a well-drained soil.
Euphorbia robbiae Spreading evergreen Euphorbia with whorls of lance-like green leaves. Lime-green flower bracts in spring.
FERNS
ADIANTUM Maidenhair Fern - Part Shade - Zone 4
Adiantum pedatum Exquisite lacy green foliage on horizontally branched fronds. Forms tight clumps. Grows to about 16" tall. Will take full sun in good soil.
Adiantum venustum Exquisite lacy green foliage on horizontally branched fronds. Forms tight clumps. This species is much the same as pedatum, but on a shorter plant. Just 6" tall. Very cute.
FILIPENDULA - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 4
Filipendula ulmaria 'Aurea' Excellent accent for the partially shaded garden with pleasant yellow-green foliage. Fluffy pale pink flowers in early summer. Grows to about 30".
GAILLARDIA - Sun - Zone 3
Gaillardia x hybrida 'Burgundy' Rugged plant bears wine-red flowers for most of the summer. Tolerates dry soil once established. Grows to 2'.
GENTIANA - Sun - Zone 3
Gentiana makinoi 'Marsha' Compact and upright growing with rich, violet-blue flowers in late summer. Likes an acidic organically enriched soil. Grows to about 20".
GERANIUM Cranesbill - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 4
Geranium cantabrigiense 'Album' Excellent ground cover type with white flowers flushed with pink. Foliage is scented with excellent fall color. Groundcover. Grows to about 8".
Geranium wallichianum ‘Rozanne’ This is a relatively new introduction discovered in England and renown for its tendency to bloom prolifically for most of the growing season. Somewhat lax in habit, it will spread to 2' or so with a height of about 12". Excellent.
GEUM - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 4
Geum rivale 'Flames of Passion' Rose-red flowers with yellow centers over light green mounds of basal foliage. Blooms in spring and usually again later in the season. Flower spikes grow to 16".
Geum triflorum 'Prairie Smoke' Exquisite little plant with light red flowers over feathery mounds of basal foliage. Seed heads resemble wisps of curling smoke. Western native.
HELLEBORUS - Part shade to Shade - Zone 5
Helleborus 'Ivory Prince' Exceptional foliage plant with deeply cut, leathery green leaves overlaid with silver shading. Strong grower. White flowers in early spring.
HEUCHERA Coral Bells - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 4
Heuchera ‘Frosted Violet’ Handsome plant with large, richly colored leaves in a mixture of purple, pink and silver. Grows to 14". Sprays of white flowers.
Heuchera ‘Citronelle’ Tight, mounding plant with pretty lime-green foliage. Works well in sun or shade and makes a nice foil for darker leaved plants. Also useful for mixed containers.
Heuchera 'Venus' Small mounding plant has silver leaves with green veins. Veins on new growth are infused with pink. Sprays of pink flowers in summer.
HOSTA Plantain Lily - Part Shade to Shade - Zone 4
Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ Diminutive hosta with small blue-green cupped leaves. As the name implies, the leaves resemble the ears of a mouse. Very cute. Grows just 6" tall.
Hosta ‘Eskimo Pie’ This is a large plant with creamy, irregular centers and deep green margins. Very striking. Mounding to 3' after several seasons.
Hosta ‘High Society’ Small, handsome plant with with large blue-green margins and thin creamy gold centers. Coloration is very sharp. Good for brightening up small places in the shaded garden. Grows to about 10” tall.
Hosta ‘Krossa Regal’ Stately plant with large dusty blue leaves and a strong vase-shaped habit. Foliage on established plants may reach 30" tall.
Hosta ‘Little Sunspot’ Small plant with large yellow centers and irregular green margins. Leaves are corrugated and slightly cupped. New. Grows to about 8” tall.
Hosta ‘Maui Buttercups’ New and lovely with medium-sized, golden yellow, slightly cupped leaves. Forms a small mound. Grows to about 14”.
Hosta ‘Stained Glass’ Stunning plant with lemon-yellow leaves edged in green. Makes a large clump about 15" high. Takes some sun.
Hosta ‘Patriot’ Rounded wavy leaves with bold, creamy-white centers. Grows to about 16”.
Hosta ‘White Christmas’ Bright, showy plant. Narrow leaves are white with green edges. Grows to about 12” tall.
Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ Striking sun tolerant Hosta with enormous chartreuse leaves. Excellent in mass or as a specimen. Needs at least a half a day of sun for best color. Grows to about 30”.
IRIS Sun to Part Shade - Evenly moist - Zone 5
Iris ensata 'Variegata' Lovely accent plant with leaves striped green and white. Works well with silver and blue foliage plants. Rich purple blooms in late spring. Grows to 24" tall.
KIRENGESHOMA Part Shade - Evenly moist - Zone 5
Kirengeshoma koreana Interesting and underutilized plant with large maple-like leaves and shrubby growth habit. Pretty pendant yellow flowers in September. A must for the shaded garden.
KNAUTIA Sun - Zone
Knautia macedonica 'Mars Midget' Small free flowering plant bears button-like red blossoms from June until frost. Deadheading encourages heavy rebloom.
Knautia macedonica 'Thunder and Lightening' New introduction with the same free flowering habit as the species. Leaves are green with white margins. Magenta flowers. Grows to 14".
LAVENDULA Sun - Zone 5
Lavendula x intermedia 'Dilly Dilly' Small free flowering plant bears button-like red blossoms from June until frost. Deadheading encourages heavy rebloom.
LIGULARIA - Part Shade - Evenly Moist - Zone 4
Ligularia dentata ‘Britt Marie Crawford’ Large plant with glossy burgundy-bronze leaves. Orange-yellow daisy-like flowers appear in late summer. Grows to 3’.
Ligularia dentata ‘Osiris Fantasie’ Large plant with dark green, deeply serrated foliage. Handsome purple stems. Yellow flowers in late summer. Grows to 24".
LEUCANTHEMUM - Sun - Zone 4
Ligularia superbum ‘Goldrausch’ Frilly, pale yellow blossoms atop 14" stems from June through August. Carefree.
MYOSOTIS Part Shade - Zone 4
Myosotis palustris 'Unforgettable' Green leaves with white margins and soft blue flowers. Very pretty.
NEPETA Catmint - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 3
Nepeta faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ Grey-green foliar mounds are covered with soft lavender-blue flowers for most of the summer. Durable and adaptable to drier soils. Shear after flowering for rebloom. Grows to about 22".
PACHYSANDRA - Shade to Part Shade - Zone 4
Pachysandra procumbens Native. Slow growing spreading plant with handsome foliage. Deciduous. Red color in fall. Grows to about 6".
PAEONIA PEONY - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 4
Paeonia lactiflora 'Buckeye Belle' Semi double maroon-red flowers in late spring. Grows to about 2'.
Paeonia lactiflora 'Butter Bowl' Single, silvery-pink flowers with yellow centers. Blooms fade almost to white as they pass. Heavy bloomer. Grows to 30".
Paeonia lactiflora 'Hot Chocolate' Single flowers with chocolate-red petals and a cocoa colored centers. Grows to 30".
PAPAVER Poppy - Sun - Zone 3
Papaver orientale ‘Marlene’ Handsome plant with purplish-red flowers and strong stems. Grows to about 2’.
PERSICARIA - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 3
Persicaria affinis 'Dimity' Short spreading plant with narrow light green leaves and spikes of pink flowers from early summer on. Makes a good groundcover.
Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Pink Elephant' Compact plant with long, gray-green leaves and pink flower spikes beginning in late June and lasting several weeks.
Persicaria polymorpha Bold clump-forming plant with plumes of white flowers from mid to late summer. Plants can grow up to 5' tall and will tolerate drier soils, but does best with ample moisture. Striking.
PODOPHYLLUM Mayapple - Part Shade - Zone 3
Podophyllum peltatum This native plant makes a great groundcover for shady places. Forms colonies of umbrella-like leaves. White flowers are often obscured by foliage. Grows to 12" tall.
POLYGONATUM Solomon's Seal - Part Shade - Zone 4
Polygonatum humile This charming species of Solomon's Seal makes an interesting little ground cover for the semi-shaded garden. Bears small white, bell-shaped flowers in the spring. Grows to 6" tall.
Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' Elegant shade perennial with nodding stems adorned with white bell-shaped flowers in late spring. Leaf margins are particularly attractive with streaks of creamy variegation.
POTENTILLA - Sun - Zone 4
Potentilla verna 'Nana' Very nice little groundcover with dark green deeply cut foliage. Forms a dense carpet of ground hugging foliage. Small yellow flowers appear on short stems in spring. Evergreen.
PRIMULA Primrose - Part Shade - Zone 4
Primula polyantha 'Francessa' Frilly greenish-yellow flowers. Unique among primroses for its flower color. Grows to 6" tall.
PHYTOLACCA - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 5
Phytolacca americana 'Silberstein' Variegated Pokeweed Excellent foliage plant with long green speckled, cream colored leaves. Slow to mature. White flowers in summer followed by dark purple berries. Poisonous.
RODGERSIA - Moist Soil - Pt Shade to Shade - Zone 5
Rodgersia aesculifolia ‘Chocolate Wings’ Large clump-forming plant has glossy, bronze colored foliage with pink flowers that darken to red. Grows to 40”.
SANGUISORBA - Sun to Part Shade - Zone 3
Sanguisorba menziesii 'Dali Marble' Toothed, blue green leaves with a white edge followed by maroon-red bottlebrush flowers in late summer. Grows to 30".
Sanguisorba officianalis 'Lemon Splash' Toothed green leaves with irregular splashes of creamy variegation. Maroon-red bottlebrush flowers in late summer. Grows to 24".
SEDUM - Sun - Well Drained Soil - Zone 3
Sedum ‘Matrona’ This is a mounding plant with attractive purple-grey foliage all season long and topped with clusters of rose-pink flowers in late summer. Grows to about 16” tall.
Sedum ‘Xenox’ Small upright plant forms mounds of fleshy green foliage with a red blush. Foliage color deepens as the season progresses, until it is something of a dusty purple. Small clusters of pink flowers appear in late summer.
STACHYS Lamb's Ears - Sun - Zone 4
Stachys 'Helene von Stein' Handsome accent plant with large silvery foliage. Leaves have a soft fuzzy texture. Purple flowers are secondary to the foliage. Works nicely for both color and texture. Grows to about 8" tall by 2' wide.
STOKESIA - Sun - Zone 5
Stokesia laevis ‘Elf’ This is a dense, low growing plant reaching just 8" tall. Violet-blue flowers appear in mid-summer and last until fall.
TIARELLA - Part Shade - Zone 4
Tiarella ‘Timbuktu’ Handsome plant with yellow-green oak-like foliage with a spray of purple-red color at the center. White bottlebrush flowers in spring.
